Political commentary from the LA Times

Talk about a do-over: the Yo-Yo Ma-Itzhak Perlman string sync

January 23, 2009 | 9:16
am

They're calling it the great musical cover-up, news that Yo-Yo Ma and Itzhak Perlman and the rest of their Inauguration Day ensemble pre-recorded their music for fear that cold temperatures would force their instruments out of tune.

Meanwhile, the hat worn by songstress Aretha Franklin during her performance of "My Country Tis of Thee" has become a hot fashion icon. Luke Song, a South Korean immigrant who designed the hat for Aretha, said his shop in Detroit has been flooded with calls. He told the Chicago Tribune:

They want the same hat, but they understand, it's for the "Queen" only. Ninety-nine percent said, "That's fine. I'll get the next best thing."

For the record, Aretha sang live, though apparently her background music was recorded.